Discover proven methods to maintain vibrant, healthy, highlighted hair with these expert tips from master stylist Scott Farmer.
Learn essential care techniques on how to take care of highlighted hair, product recommendations, and professional secrets for long-lasting, beautiful highlights.
Key Takeaways
- Use sulfate-free, color-safe shampoo and wash hair in lukewarm water to prevent color fading.
- Apply weekly deep conditioning treatments to maintain moisture and repair damage.
- Protect hair from heat styling and UV rays with appropriate products.
- Schedule salon touch-ups every 6-8 weeks to maintain highlight vibrancy.
- Use violet shampoo once weekly to prevent brassiness in blonde highlights.
How to Take Care of Highlighted Hair?
To care for highlighted hair, follow these essential steps: Wash hair 2-3 times weekly with color-safe shampoo, use deep conditioner weekly, apply heat protectant before styling, and protect from sun damage.
Use violet shampoo to prevent brassiness, and maintain regular 6-8 week salon touch-up appointments. Keep hair hydrated with leave-in treatments and avoid hot water washing.
These practices help maintain color vibrancy and hair health.
Caring for your highlighted hair doesn’t have to be complicated.
Whether you’ve just had fresh blonde highlights or are maintaining a soft balayage, having the proper routine is key to keeping your hair vibrant and healthy.
Scott Farmer, an independent hair stylist in Venice, FL, shares his best tips for protecting and maintaining your highlights. Let’s dive in!
Why Do Highlights Need Extra Care?
Highlights involve lifting the natural color from your hair, which can make it more fragile and dry. This means highlighted hair needs extra attention to keep shiny, strong, and healthy highlighted hair. The good news? With the right products and habits, it’s manageable.
11 Expert Tips to Keep Your Highlights Vibrant and Healthy!
1. Pick a Shampoo Made for Color-Treated Hair
Regular shampoos can strip the color and natural oils from your hair. To avoid this, use a sulfate-free, color-safe shampoo for color-treated hair. These shampoos clean gently without fading your highlights.
Scott’s Favorites:
- Redken’s Acidic Color Gloss Sulfate Free Shampoo: Adds moisture and keeps color vibrant.
-
Redken’s Acidic Bonding Concentrate Sulfate Free Shampoo for Damaged Hair: Repairs and strengthens hair.
Quick Tip: Wash your hair with lukewarm water instead of hot water. Hot water can open the hair cuticle, which leads to faster fading.
2. Use a Deep Conditioner Once a Week
Highlighted hair needs extra hydration to stay soft and healthy. A weekly deep conditioning treatment is perfect for adding moisture and fixing damage.
How to Use:
- Apply the conditioner to your hair, focusing on the ends.
- Leave it on for 10–15 minutes, then rinse with cool water.
Top Picks:
- Amika Soulfood Nourishing Mask: Lightweight yet super moisturizing.
- K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask: Perfect for damaged hair.
3. Protect Your Hair From Heat
Heat tools like curling irons, straighteners, and blow dryers can damage highlighted hair. Always use a heat protectant spray before using heat styling tools like curling irons or straighteners.
What to Look For: A spray that protects up to 450°F. Spray it evenly on damp or dry hair before using heat tools.
Scott Recommends:
- Amika blockade heat defense serum: Cuts drying time and adds heat protection.
- Redken Quick Blowout Heat Protecting Blowdry Spray: Lightweight and great for all hair types.
4. Shield Your Hair From the Sun
Just like your skin, your hair needs protection from the sun. UV rays can dull your highlights, causing unwanted brassiness or a faded look.
How to Protect Your Hair:
- Use products with UV filters.
- Wear a hat or scarf if you spend a lot of time outdoors.
Great Products to Try:
- Pureology Color Fanatic Multi-Tasking Leave-In Spray
Sun Care Protective Hair Veil: A light, easy-to-use spray.
5. Keep Up With Regular Salon Touch-Ups
Even with the best at-home care, highlighted hair needs professional attention. Schedule a salon visit every 6–8 weeks to refresh your hair color and tone out unwanted brassiness.
Ask Your Stylist About:
- Gloss treatments to make highlights shine.
- Seasonal tweaks to adjust your color for the weather.
6. Don’t Wash Your Hair Too Often
Daily washing of your hair can strip it of natural oils, leaving it dry and dull. Try to wash your hair only 2–3 times a week. On other days, use a dry shampoo to keep your hair fresh.
Best Pick:
- Amika perk up dry shampoo: Absorbs oil without leaving a residue.
7. Handle Wet Hair Gently
Wet hair is more likely to break, especially if it’s highlighted. After washing, blot your hair gently with a microfiber towel instead of rubbing it with a regular towel.
Pro Tip: Use a wide-tooth comb to detangle your hair and apply a leave-in conditioner to keep it smooth and manageable.
8. Use Purple Shampoo to Fight Brassiness
Over time, blonde or light highlights can turn brassy. A purple shampoo helps balance out unwanted brassiness and keeps your hair color looking fresh.
How to Use:
- Swap your normal shampoo for violet shampoo once a week.
- Leave it in for 2–5 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.
Scott’s Recommendations:
- Amika Bust Your Brass Cool Blonde Repair Shampoo: Fights brassiness effectively.
- Redken Color Extend Blondage Purple Shampoo: Gentle and easy to use.
9. Hydrate With Natural Oils
Highlighted hair often needs more moisture, and natural oils like argan or coconut oil are great. Use a small amount on the ends of your hair to add softness and shine.
Quick Tip: Avoid putting oils on your roots; they can make your hair look greasy.
10. Install a Shower Filter
Hard water can dull highlights and leave hair feeling rough. A shower filter removes minerals from the water, helping hair stay soft and vibrant.
Best Shower Filters:
- AquaBliss High Output Shower Filter: Budget-friendly and effective.
- Culligan Wall-Mounted Filter: Great for long-term use.
11. Sleep Smart
Your nighttime routine matters. Use a silk pillowcase to reduce friction while you sleep, and tie your hair in a loose braid to prevent tangles.
Bonus Tips
- Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water to keep your hair healthy from the inside out.
- Avoid Chlorine: Use a swim cap or pre-swim treatment to protect your hair.
- Trim Regularly: A trim every 6–8 weeks keeps split ends away and your hair looking its best.
Acidic Bonding Concentrate Pre-Shampoo Intensive Treatment
Acidic Bonding Concentrate Intensive Treatment is the first step (used before shampooing) in Redken’s most powerful care system, featuring citric acid.
Formulated with Redken’s Bonding Care Complex, this treatment delivers exceptional strength restoration, deep hydration, and protection against color fading for all severely damaged or chemically treated hair types.
Acidic Bonding Concentrate Sulfate Free Shampoo
Acidic Bonding Shampoo is the second step in Redken’s most advanced care system.
This sulfate-free formula offers a comprehensive solution to tackle all levels of hair damage, including the most heavily processed strands.
Acidic Bonding Concentrate Sulfate Free Conditioner
Acidic Bonding Conditioner is the third step in Redken’s most potent care system.
Designed to repair all types of hair damage, including the most processed strands, this conditioner delivers a complete solution for strength, hydration, and resilience.
Acidic Bonding Concentrate Leave-In Conditioner
Redken’s Acidic Bonding Concentrate Leave-In Conditioner is the final step in their most potent haircare regimen.
This leave-in treatment fortifies and revitalizes even the most processed hair by reinforcing weakened bonds, restoring strength, and enhancing overall health.
Keep Your Highlights Healthy and Vibrant
With a few easy habits and the right products, keeping your highlighted hair looking great is simple. Scott Farmer in Venice, FL, can help you customize a routine to match your hair type and style. Treat your highlights like an investment, and they’ll reward you with lasting shine and beauty. Ready to take your hair care to the next level? Book an appointment with Scott Farmer today!Frequently Asked Questions
How can I make my highlighted hair healthier?
To make highlighted hair healthier, focus on deep conditioning treatments and minimizing heat styling. Use a color-safe, sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner to maintain moisture. Apply a weekly hair mask rich in proteins and oils to repair damage. Limit washing to 2-3 times a week, and always use a heat protectant before styling. Consider incorporating a leave-in conditioner to keep hair hydrated throughout the day.
How do I keep my highlights from fading?
To keep highlights from fading, protect your hair from sun exposure and chlorine. Use a UV-protective spray when outdoors, and wear a hat or scarf. Wash with cool water and color-safe products, avoiding clarifying shampoos. Limit heat styling and always use a heat protectant. Consider using a purple or blue shampoo once a week to neutralize brassiness. Schedule regular toning treatments with your stylist to maintain color vibrancy.
What not to do when you get highlights?
After getting highlights, avoid these common mistakes:
* Don't wash your hair for at least 48 hours
* Avoid chlorinated pools and salt water for two weeks
* Don't use regular shampoo; switch to color-safe products
* Avoid heat styling for the first week
* Don't skip conditioner or deep treatments
* Avoid excessive sun exposure without protection
* Don't use clarifying or anti-dandruff shampoos regularly
Are hair highlights hard to maintain?
Hair highlights require moderate maintenance but aren't excessively difficult to care for. The key is establishing a proper hair care routine. This includes using color-safe products, limiting washing to 2-3 times a week, applying heat protectants, and scheduling regular touch-ups every 6-8 weeks. While they need attention, with the proper care, highlights can remain vibrant and healthy-looking without overwhelming effort.
Scott Farmer
Master Hair Stylist
Scott Farmer is a master colorist and stylist with over 30 years of experience. He is driven by a passion for transforming hair into personalized works of art.
Trained by top global brands like Toni & Guy and Redken, Scott has built a reputation for his advanced color techniques, including balayage and color melting, and his tailored approach to each client’s unique style.
As a salon owner and educator, Scott brings expertise, creativity, and a commitment to enhancing natural beauty, ensuring each visit is a journey toward renewed confidence and style.
HOW TO CONNECT WITH SCOTT FARMER SALON ONLINE?
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Please stay connected with us! Follow Scott Farmer Salon on Facebook and Instagram to see our latest work, get hair styling tips, and stay updated on special offers and events.
CONTACT US
We would love to get to know you or answer any questions you may have. Please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Scott Farmer Hair Salon in Venice, FL offers expert haircuts, vibrant color, and balayage in a private suite. Over 30 years of experience delivering personalized, confidence-boosting styles.